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Description:

Contracts for services to USA, Canada, and International marketing companies for programs that attract tourists from Taiwan to visit the State of Hawaii. Funding is intended for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive marketing approach and brand-management plan that will increase the number of Taiwanese visitors to Hawaii and promote the state as an attractive destination.

The destination marketing management services being solicited include:
- Develop and deploy a brand management plan that will increase visitor expenditures for the Hawaiian Islands in alignment with HTA’s strategic directives;
- Integrate activities with the travel trade (retail and wholesale) and consumers through multi-faceted, traditional and non-traditional means;
- Develop and facilitate partnerships or other relationships with Hawaii’s visitor industry and community stakeholders; and,
- Promote Hawaii as a meetings, conventions, and incentives (MCI) destination.

The HTA creates, manages and supports the development of unique tourism experiences such as community and cultural festivals, sporting events, natural resources, and community and cultural programs. The HTA also directly affects the visitor experience through its support of career development, visitor assistance programs, the integration of community and residents’ considerations, and a deep respect for the Hawaiian host culture. All should be considered as RFP responses are developed.

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Estimated Size of Grant:

The contract is a firm fixed price contract for no greater than $500,000 for calendar year 2020.

Term of Contract:

Contract performance should end December 31, 2022, but the contract end date will be extended to March 31, 2023, to allow time to create and compile required reports and other deliverables.

Sufficient funds to pay for the initial contract year are available. The contractor acknowledges and agrees that, for subsequent years, the availability of funds from the Tourism Special Fund established under the laws of the State of Hawaii for any fiscal year (July 1 to June 30), shall initially be subject to the passage of a budget appropriation of public funds by the Legislature, and subsequently to the approval of an allotment of the budgeted funds by the Governor, through the Director of Finance, State of Hawaii.

Eligibility:

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

This RFP is open to in-state and out-of-state applicants. Applicants must include evidence that they currently possess or have filed for a Certificate of Vendor Compliance (CVC). This is a requirement.

Pre-Application Information:

The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday, August 15, 2019, by 4:30 PM, HST. Submission of proposals will be accepted via eCivis Portal only.

Interested applicants are encouraged to register for updates. This is done by creating an account and filling out “My Profile” on eCivis. Those who have registered by the registration deadline will receive notice of changes and addendums directly to their email. Addendums will also be posted on the eCivis portal. All dates and times are in Hawai‘i Standard Time.

Timeline:
- Distribution of RFP: Monday, June 17, 2019
- Deadline to submit written questions to HTA and recommended due date to register on eCivis: Friday, June 28, 2019
- RFP Addendum: HTA to Issue Responses to Written Questions: Week of July 1, 2019
- Deadline for Applicants to Protest the Content of the RFP: Within 5 calendar days of issuance of Addendum with an answer to questions
- Deadline to submit written proposal: Thursday, August 15, 2019, by 4:30 PM HST
- Notice of Selection or Non-selection to Oral Presentation: Week of September 9, 2019
- Oral Presentation: Week of September 23, 2019
- Notice of Award Selection or Non-selection: Early October
- Deadline for Applicant to Protest Non-Award: Within 5 business days of notice of non-award
- Start of Initial Contract Period: January 1, 2020
- End of Contract Performance: December 31, 2022
- End of initial Contract Period: March 31, 2023

Applicants to this RFP are to communicate only with the points of contact (see details below). HTA is not responsible for misinformation or reliance from other sources. Email is the preferred mode of communication. Please include the RFP number in the subject line of emails.

It is recommended that applicants begin the process of obtaining vendor compliance certificates immediately to identify any possible challenges and to avoid any delays in processing. There is a $12 annual fee for this service. For information on creating an eHawaii.gov account, vendor registration, and using Hawai‘i Compliance Express, see: https://www.youtube.com/user/eHawaiigov1/videos